PRESCOTT, Ariz.- La Sierra men's basketball picked up their first conference win of the season in a nail biting 84-81 victory over Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott, Ariz.). This win marks their first on the year after facing tough competitors in the preseason, and the first win of his La Sierra career for Head Coach Ethan Lowe.

Uriel Lejtman had a remarkable night with a double-double in points (25) and rebounds (11). Brandhon Thomas added a notable 21 points to help the Golden Eagles achieve their first win. D'Lano Beckles came up with 11 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds. Starter Blake Bluitt and off the bench Luke Alviar posted 7 points, respectively. Weston McKenney had an imposing night with 6 points, 5 steals, and 4 assists. La Sierra implemented great movement of the ball and teamwork to bring them to their first win. Caleb Tinker posted four points with four rebounds and Elmer Reyes posted three points.

Golden Eagles made 30 of its 67 field goals (44.8%), 9 for 20 three-points (45.0%), and 15 for 19 free throws (78.9%).

La Sierra began the first half down with a 6-2 deficit, but after a timely time-out, McKenney landed a 3-point shot to shorten the lead to 6-5. Thomas capitalized on a miss lay-up from their opponent to land a three of his own to push the Golden Eagles ahead. Embry-Riddle tied it two more times and took the lead for a short while. Lejtman and Beckles posted layups to tie it back up and take the lead. The two teams went back and forth two more times in the first half with the Golden Eagles securing the lead into the half (45-42).

Golden Eagles started off strong in the second half taking a lead of seven points. Embry-Riddle answered back with a couple of timely made baskets to pull ahead. Golden Eagles took the lead by 6 on a breakaway. Battling back and forth in the last minutes of the game, it was looking like it could go either way. At the end of the nail biter, Golden Eagles kept the lead through their last 10 points to come out victorious.